Tourism Minister Ed Bartlett (third left) is tickled by a joke with Sacha Todd (second left), scientist at The Nature Conservancy, Derrick Kellier (left), Member of Parliament for South St James and Karen Hillard, mission director at the United States Agency for International Development, at the official opening of the Flagstaff Visitors Centre, on Thursday, October 15.- Photos by Noel Thompson

WESTERN BUREAU:It was no ordinary day for the people of Flagstaff and surrounding districts in the hills of St James during the recent handover ceremony of its visitors centre.

The centre, which is part of the Flagstaff Heritage Tour and Trail, was officially presented to the community by the United States Agency for International Development, through its Protected Areas and Rural Enterprise (USAID/PARE) project and The Nature Conservancy. Other agencies who have assisted with the project include the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo); HEART Trust/NTA; the Small Business Association of Jamaica and the Forestry Department.

cultural activities

Some students from neighbouring schools were given permission to be away from school for the day, to participate in the ceremony's cultural activities.

During the walk along the trails, chargé d'affaires at the United States embassy, Isaiah Parnell, held hands with his wife, Tammie, and daughter, Taylor.

Tourism Minister Ed Bartlett, Montego Bay's Mayor Charles Sinclair, USAID's mission director Karen Hilliard and scientist Sacha Todd were kept busy expanding their knowledge about the rich heritage that abounds in Flagstaff by TPDCo-certified tour guide Michael Grizzle.

left: Chargé d'affaires of the US Embassy, Isiah Parnell (second left), walks hand in hand with his wife, Tammie (left) and daughter, Taylor (in foreground), with other officials from the United States Agency for International Development and the Tourism Ministry, walk along one of the paths, which form part of the Flagstaff Maroon Village Heritage Tour and Trail.

Chairman of the Local Forest Management Committee in Flagstaff, St James, Michael Grizzle (right), talks with community member, Robert Pearson, following the official opening of the Flagstaff Visitors Centre (in background).

Tammie Parnell (left), wife of Isiah Parnell, charge d'affaires of the United States Embassy, talks with daughter, Taylor.